Switch mechanism usable underwater

ABSTRACT

A switch mechanism usable underwater including a cover serving as an exterior member, a shaft member displaceable in a longitudinal direction and fitted into a shaft hole having substantially the same cross-sectional area provided in the cover, an O-ring maintaining a water-tight sliding seal between the shaft member and the shaft hole, and a lever member movable about an axis for moving the shaft member by application of a pressing force applied to the lever member in a first direction against a force of a bias member, the pressing force being applied at a first point which is a first distance from said axis, the lever member engaging the shaft at a second point a second distance from said axis which is less than said first distance to move the lever member in a second direction opposite said first direction when the pressing force is removed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/281,650, filed Nov. 17, 2005, which claims priority of JapaneseApplication No. 2004-344649 filed in Japan on Nov. 29, 2004 and JapaneseApplication No. 2004-344651 filed in Japan on Nov. 29, 2004, which areincorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a switching mechanism usableunderwater, and more particularly to a switching mechanism usableunderwater for use in a device capable of being not only used on landbut also used underwater.

2. Description of the Related Art

Devices used underwater, for example, such as underwater cameras or thelike are provided with various kinds of operating switches that can beoperated underwater. In contrast to operating switches that are onlyused on land, such an operating switch used underwater is required to bedesigned not only to have water-tightness but also to havewater-tightness withstanding up to a predetermined water pressure. Ingeneral, when the operating switch used underwater is designed, to whatextent of a water depth the operating switch can withstand, is decidedin consideration of a usage pattern, size, weight, and a price of thedevice. The deeper the designed depth of water, the larger the waterpressure applied to the device. However, because hydrostatic pressure isuniformly applied to an entire surface of the device, the hydrostaticpressure is applied not only to an exterior package of the device butalso to the operating switch, as it is obvious.

In a case when the operating switch is that of a pressure-type, it ispossible that the operating switch is turned on/off by pressing forcecaused by the water pressure. Therefore, the pressure-type switch isconfigured to generate biasing force that can withstand the waterpressure by, for example, providing a spring or the like inside thereof.In this case, the deeper the water depth designed for the device, thestronger the biasing force necessary for the device. Therefore, whensuch a device is used on land or underwater in relatively shallow water,large pressing force is required to operate the operating switch. Inaddition, because the required pressing force to operate such anoperating switch varies corresponding to the water depth, operability ofthe operating switch is not good.

As an art that can improve these shortcomings, for example, in JapaneseUnexamined Utility Model Registration Application Publication No.51-111343, a shutter release of a waterproof camera, in which abalancing pressure receiving face having approximately the same area asthat of a pressure receiving face of a pressing portion is provided in ashutter release member so as to balance water pressure applied to boththe pressure receiving faces, is described. More concretely, thepressure receiving face of the pressing portion is disposed at an upperface side of the waterproof camera and the balancing pressure receivingface is disposed at a lower face side thereof, respectively and theshutter release member is formed into a longitudinal shape that connectsthe upper face and the lower face of the waterproof camera. In addition,the shutter release member is configured to be movable in a verticaldirection connecting the upper face and the lower face of the waterproofcamera. According to such a configuration, the shutter release member isprevented from being improperly pressed by the water pressure regardlessof the water depth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aswitch mechanism usable underwater capable of saving space and providedwith a pressing operation member without being improperly operated bywater pressure.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a switchmechanism usable underwater capable of saving the space and providedwith a plurality of pressing operation members without being improperlyoperated by water pressure and required pressing force to operate thesame does not depend on a water depth.

Accordingly, in an aspect, the present invention provides a switchmechanism usable underwater including an exterior member having a firsthole and a second hole, a first pressing operation member beingwatertight against the first hole of the exterior member, a secondpressing operation member being watertight against the second hole ofthe exterior member, first switch means being turned on/off by the firstpressing operation member, second switch means being turned on/off bythe second pressing operation member, and a lever member being rotatablearound a fulcrum being provided in the exterior member, pressing thefirst pressing operation member at a first contact point when rotatingin a first direction, and pressing the second operation member at asecond contact point when rotating in a second direction opposite to thefirst direction, in which, when a cross-sectional area at a boundary ofwater and air in a state of the first pressing operation member beinginserted into the first hole is defined as S1, and a cross-sectionalarea at a boundary of water and air in a state of the second pressingoperation member being inserted into the second hole is defined as S2,and in which, when a distance between the fulcrum and the first contactpoint is defined as R1, and a distance between the fulcrum and thesecond contact point is defined as R2, and in which, when staticfrictional force occurring when the first pressing operation member isforced into the first hole is defined as F1, and static frictional forceoccurring when the second pressing operation member is forced into thesecond hole is defined as F2, and in which, when the water pressure isdefined as P, the lever member has a rotational balance of the waterpressure in which the following mathematical formula is satisfied.

P×S1×R1+F1×R1=P×S2×R2+F2×R2

In another aspect, the present invention provides a switch mechanismusable underwater including, an exterior member having a first hole anda second hole, a pressing operation member being watertight against thefirst hole of the exterior member, switch means being turned on/off by amovement of the pressing operation member, water pressure detectingmeans being watertight against the second hole of the exterior member,and a lever member disposed to be freely rotatable around a rotationsupporting portion disposed inside of the exterior member, for applyingdetected force of a water pressure occurring when the water pressuredetecting means is pressed to the pressing operation member by the waterpressure underwater, in which the detected force of the water pressureis set to be equal to or greater than resultant force of an externalforce being received by the pressing operation member from the waterpressure as an external pressure and internal force being received bythe pressing operation member from the internal member as force applyingin a direction opposite to an applying direction of the externalpressure.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a switchmechanism usable underwater including, a pressing operation membercapable of being moved by external operation, being watertight againstan exterior member, and receiving a first force occurring at a firstcross-sectional area of a boundary between water and air underwatercorresponding to a water pressure, switch means being turned on/off by amovement of the pressing operation member, force of water pressuregenerating member being disposed to be watertight against the exteriormember, having a second cross-sectional area at a boundary of the waterand the air, and generating a second force at a second cross-sectionalarea of a boundary between the water and the air underwatercorresponding to the water pressure, and a transmitting member fortransmitting the second force to the pressing operation member, in whichthe second force generated by the force of water pressure generatingmember is set to be greater than the first force received by thepressing operation member by configuring the second cross-sectional areaof the force of water pressure generating member to be greater than thefirst cross-sectional area of the pressing operation member.

In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a switchmechanism usable underwater including, an exterior member having a firsthole and a second hole, a pressing operation member being watertightagainst the first hole of the exterior member, capable of being operatedfrom outside of the exterior member, switch means being turned on/off bythe pressing operation member, a water pressure detecting member beingwatertight against the second hole of the exterior member, andgenerating force corresponding to the water pressure under water, and alever member being rotatable around a fulcrum, for approximatelybalancing the water pressure applied to the pressing operation memberunderwater by receiving force that occurs at the water pressuredetecting member at a point of force and applying the force to thepressing operation member at a point of action.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become more clearly understood from the following descriptionreferring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating aconfiguration of an underwater camera of the present invention, viewedfrom the front side;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating theconfiguration of the underwater camera, viewed from the backside;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section by a cutting line 3-3 in FIG. 5 illustrating aconfiguration of a zoom lever;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section by a cutting line 4-4 in FIG. 5 illustrating aconfiguration of the zoom lever;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section by a cutting line 5-5 in FIG. 4 illustrating aconfiguration of the zoom lever;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section by a cutting line 6-6 in FIG. 4 illustratingthe configuration of the zoom lever;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section illustrating a configuration of a clickswitch;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating a statewhen one side of the zoom lever is pressingly operated;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section illustrating a first variation of an operatingswitch;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the first variation of theoperating switch;

FIG. 11 is a plan view partially including a see-through viewillustrating a second variation of the operating switch;

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a third variation of the operatingswitch;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the third variation of theoperating switch;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section illustrating a configuration of a powersource button in a non-pressed state;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section illustrating a configuration of a powersource button in a pressed state;

FIG. 16 is a cross-section illustrating a configuration of a releasebutton in a non-pressed state; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-section illustrating a configuration of the releasebutton in a pressed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinbelow, an embodiment of the present invention is explainedreferring to accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 17 illustrate the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating aconfiguration of an underwater camera 1 of the present invention, viewedfrom the front side and FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective viewillustrating the configuration of the underwater camera 1, viewed fromthe backside.

The camera 1 is a so-called underwater camera which is configured to beusable not only on land but also underwater up to a predetermined waterdepth.

An exterior member 2 of the camera 1 comprises a front cover 2 a and arear cover 2 b, sealing each other in a watertight manner and fixingtogether by using screws or the like.

A shooting optical system 3 serving as a zoom optical system having avariable focal length is disposed at a right upper corner of a frontface of the camera 1, viewed from a front side (an object side), and astroboscopic light 4 for irradiating flash light is disposed at a centerof the upper part of the front face of the camera 1, respectively.

A release button 5 for inputting an instruction for shooting operationis disposed at a position in a top face of the camera 1 at which aphotographer can pressingly operate the release button 5 with aright-hand index finger or the like.

A power source button 6 for turning on/off a power source of the camera1 and a mode switching lever 7 for switching an operation mode of thecamera 1 among a still image shooting mode, an moving image shootingmode, and a play back mode are disposed at a lower side of a right sideface (right side, viewed from an operating photographer) of the camera1, respectively.

A zoom lever 8 for changing the focal length of the shooting opticalsystem 3 from a telescopic focal length side to a wide angle focallength side is disposed at a right upper corner of a rear side of thecamera 1 and a display screen 9 for displaying a shot still image and ashot moving image, and for displaying various information relating tothe camera 1 is disposed at most of an area of a rear face of the camera1 at the left side from the zoom lever 8, respectively.

The above-mentioned shooting optical system 3, the stroboscopic light 4,the release button 5, the power source button 6, the mode switchinglever 7, the zoom lever 8, and the display screen 9 are of coursedesigned to be watertight against the exterior member 2.

The display screen 9 is configured by covering, in a watertight manner,a display element 9 a formed of, for example, a TFT (Thin FilmTransistor) or the like with a window glass 9 b having resistancecharacteristics for water pressure and attaching a window cover 9 c fromoutside of the window glass 9 b, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Next, a configuration of the zoom lever 8 will be explained referring toFIGS. 3 through 8. FIG. 3 is a cross-section by a cutting line 3-3 inFIG. 5, illustrating a configuration of the zoom lever 8; FIG. 4 is across-section by a cutting line 4-4 in FIG. 5, illustrating aconfiguration of the zoom lever 8; FIG. 5 is a cross-section by acutting line 5-5 in FIG. 4, illustrating a configuration of the zoomlever 8; FIG. 6 is a cross-section by a cutting line 6-6 in FIG. 4,illustrating the configuration of the zoom lever 8; FIG. 7 is across-section illustrating a configuration of a click switch 16; andFIG. 8 is a cross-section corresponding to FIG. 4, illustrating a statewhen one side of the zoom lever 8 is pressingly operated.

As described above, the zoom lever 8 is formed to be a lever-shapedmember for changing the focal length of the shooting optical system 3from the telescopic focal length side to the wide angle focal lengthside, and when the one end side is pressed, the focal length of theshooting optical system 3 is changed to the telescopic focal length sideand when the other end side is pressed, the same is changed to the wideangle focal length side.

The zoom lever 8 comprises a lever member 11 that constitutes abalancing mechanism, a pressing plate 12 and a screw 13 for attachingthe lever member 11 to the rear cover 2 b, two shaft members 14 thatconstitute a pressing operation member, each of O-rings 15 that arerespectively attached to the two shaft members 14, and each of the clickswitches 16 to be pressed by the aforementioned shaft member 14.

The aforementioned click switch 16 is mounted on a flexible printedcircuit board 17 for a switch, and the flexible printed circuit board 17for the switch is further attached to a fixing board 18 that is providedinside of the camera 1.

The aforementioned lever member 11 is formed by connecting a pair ofleft and right pressing operation portions 11 a by a bridge portion 11b. Two elongated oval-shaped continuous holes 11 c for circulating airand water are disposed in the aforementioned pressing operation portions11 a, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. A hole 11 d forpenetrating a boss 19 b protruding from the rear cover 2 b is formed inthe aforementioned bridge portion 11 b. A diameter of the hole 11 d islarger than that of an outer peripheral face of the boss 19 b so thatthe lever member 11 does not contact the boss 19 b even when the levermember 11 swings. In addition, a sliding convex portion 11 e having anR-face, namely a shape of a cylindrical surface, is formed at an upperface of the bridge portion 11 b of the lever member 11 and a slidingconcave portion 11 f having an R-face, namely a shape of an internalface of a cylindrical hole is formed at a lower face thereof,respectively. A sliding convex portion 19 d having an R-face, namely ashape of a cylindrical surface, is formed at both sides of the boss 19 bof the rear cover 2 b and the sliding convex portion 19 d contacts thesliding concave portion 11 f so as to swingably support the lever member11.

The pressing plate 12 is mounted on the bridge portion 11 b of the levermember 11. Both end sides of the pressing plate 12 contact the slidingconvex portion 11 e and a center of the pressing plate 12 contacts theboss 19 b. Further, the lever member 11 is attached to the rear cover 2b by screwing a screw 13 into a screw hole 19 c of the boss 19 b througha hole formed at a center of the pressing plate 12.

The lever member 11 is configured to press the shaft member 14 into aninside of the camera 1 in a shaft direction by a bottom face of aportion between a pair of continuous holes 11 c of the pressingoperation portions 11 a. Further, a hooking convex portion 11 g forpulling up the shaft member 14 toward outside of the camera 1 in a shaftdirection by fitting into a side flange 14 d formed at an upper endportion of the shaft member 14 is provided. An upper face of the hookingconvex portion 11 g is formed into an R-face, namely a shape of acylindrical surface and is configured such that force in a shaftdirection is stably transmitted to the side flange 14 d even when thelever member 11 is slanted due to a swinging action thereof.

The shaft member 14 has an approximately cylindrical shape and isprovided with the side flange 14 d at an upper part thereof, asmentioned above, and a pressing convex portion 14 a at a lower endthereof. In addition, an O-ring groove 14 c is formed at a peripheralface 14 b of the shaft member 14. Further, an upper end face of theshaft member 14 is also formed to be an R-face, namely a shape of acylindrical surface and is configured such that pressing force of thelever member 11 is stably transmitted as force for displacing the shaftmember 14 in a shaft direction even when the lever member 11 is slanteddue to a swinging action thereof.

An O-ring 15 is attached to each O-ring groove 14 c of each shaft member14.

The two shaft members 14, to which the O-ring 15 is attached is fit intotwo round shaped shaft holes 19 a formed in the rear cover 2 b in amanner so as to be perpendicular to a surface of the rear cover 2 b,such that the shaft member 14 is slidable in a shaft direction. At thismoment, an inside of the camera 1 is kept watertight against an outsideof the camera 1 by an effect of the O-ring 15. Further, so as todecrease frictional force that occurs when the shaft member 14 slides ina shaft direction, grease or the like is coated around the peripheralface of the shaft member 14. As a result, the shaft member 14 can besmoothly displaced in a shaft direction, even when the O-ring 15 isattached to the O-ring groove 14 c (refer to a mathematical formula,described later).

The click switch 16 mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 17 forthe switch is configured as schematically shown in FIG. 7.

Namely, for example, a round hole 16 b is formed at an upper face of achassis 16 a which is formed to have a short cylindrical shape with aninsulating material. An insulating rubber curtain 16 c is disposedinside of the round hole 16 b in a manner so as to seal the round hole16 b, and further, a click spring 16 d made of metal formed into aconvex face shape is disposed in a manner so as to upwardly press therubber curtain 16 c. An electric contact point 16 e is formed at a lowerside of the click spring 16 d sandwiching space of a predetermineddistance between the click spring 16 d and the same. The click spring 16d and the electric contact point 16 e are respectively connected to acircuit side (not shown) through signal lines.

Further, when the shaft member 14 is pressed down and the pressingconvex portion 14 a presses the rubber curtain 16 c and the click spring16 d via the round hole 16 b, the click spring 16 d and the electriccontact point 16 e are electrically turned on and by detecting theresultant electric connection, it is determined whether the click switch16 is turned on or turned off.

Furthermore, when a pressing force from the pressing convex portion 14 aof the shaft member 14 is lost, the click spring 16 d and the electriccontact point 16 e are separated at the predetermined distance, i.e.,return to a state shown in FIG. 7, by returning force of the clickspring 16 d.

FIG. 8 illustrates a state when one of two pressing operation portions11 a provided in the zoom lever 8 is pressingly operated by an operatorwith his/her finger or the like.

Namely, in the zoom lever 8, a bottom face of a pressed side of thepressing operation portion 11 a displaces the shaft member 14 toward theinside of the camera 1 in a shaft direction and the pressing convexportion 14 a of the shaft member 14 turns on the click switch 16. Atthis moment, the other shaft member 14 is displaced toward outside ofthe camera 1 in a shaft direction because the side flange 14 d is hookedwith the hooking convex portion 11 g.

Next, pressure balance generated when the zoom lever 8 is underwater isdescribed.

As is clear from the aforementioned configuration, the zoom lever 8rotates around a portion at which the sliding concave portion 11 f andthe sliding convex portion 19 d contacts, serving as a fulcrum. Further,when one of pressing operation portions 11 a (in detail, a contactingposition, at which the pressing operation portion 11 a contacts theupper end face of the shaft member 14) serves as a point of force, theother pressing operation portion 11 a (in detail, a contacting portion,at which the side flange 14 d contacts the hooking convex portion 11 g)serves as a point of action.

At this moment, a distance between the fulcrum and one of the pressingoperation portions 11 a (first contacting point, i.e., a first point offorce, or a second point of action) is defined as R1, and a distancebetween the fulcrum and the other pressing operation portion 11 a(second contacting point, i.e., a first point of action, or a secondpoint of force) is defined as R2. Further, a minimum cross-sectionalarea of the shaft hole 19 a (a cross-sectional area of a boundarybetween water and air), in which the shaft member 14 pressed by one ofthe pressing operation portion 11 a is inserted, that is effectiveagainst the water pressure is defined as S1, and a minimumcross-sectional area (a cross-sectional area of a boundary between waterand air) of the shaft hole 19 a, in which the shaft member 14 pressed bythe other pressing operation portion 11 a is inserted, that is effectiveagainst the water pressure is defined as S2. Furthermore, staticfrictional force, which is mainly caused between the shaft hole 19 a andthe O-ring 15, when one of the pressing operation portion 11 a ispressed, is defined as F1 (refer to FIG. 3), and static frictionalforce, which is also mainly caused between the shaft hole 19 a and theO-ring 15, when the other pressing operation portion 11 a is pressed, isdefined as F2 (refer to FIG. 3). In addition, hydrostatic pressure at awater depth D (m) (Atmospheric pressure is included in the hydrostaticpressure, same as below) is defined as P (D). Then, force applied to oneof the shaft members 14 is found by P (D)×S1, and similarly, forceapplied to the other shaft members 14 is found by P (D)×S2. Further, themoments of force around the fulcrum are found by P (D)×S1×R1, and P(D)×S2×R2, respectively. Furthermore, the moments of force around afulcrum generated by static frictional force are found by F1×R1, andF2×R2, respectively. Accordingly, a condition for the moment of force tobe balanced is found by following mathematical formula.

[Mathematical Formula 1]

P×S1×R1+F1×R1=P×S2×R2+F2×R2

Accordingly, a cross-sectional area of two shaft holes 19 a, distancebetween the fulcrum and each of two pressing operation portions 11 a,material and a shape of the O-rings 15 and the shaft hole 19 a, and thelike are configured to satisfy the mathematical formula 1 (in otherwords, to bring a balance of rotation of the lever member 11 caused bythe water pressure).

Further, the pair of aforementioned pressing operation portions 11 a andthe O-ring 15 are configured such that each of the conditions shown by afollowing mathematical formula 2 is satisfied against a predeterminedwater depth, for example, water pressure P(D1) at a designed water depthD1.

[Mathematical Formula 2]

P(D1)×S1>>F1

P(D1)×S2>>F2

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIGS. 3 through 8, conditions whichis considered to be most natural, i.e., S1=S2 and R1=R2 are determinedfor two of the click switches 16 that have functions opposite eachother, i.e., zooming-in function and zooming-out function (in otherwords, there is no need to differentiate frequency of use of the clickswitch 16 or importance of the click switch 16).

Next, a first variation of the operating switch, such as the zoom lever8 and etc. will be explained referring to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is across-section illustrating the first variation of the operating switch,and FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the first variation ofthe operating switch.

The zoom lever 8 of the first variation is configured by integrallyforming the lever member 11, the shaft member 14, and the O-ring 15 byrelatively hard rubber or the like having elasticity.

That is, a lever shaft member 21 is formed by connecting two pressingoperation portions 21 a, corresponding to the pressing operationportions 11 a, by a bridge portion 21 b. A screw hole 21 d forpenetrating the screw 13 is formed at the center of the bridge portion21 b and a sliding concave portion 21 c having the same function as thatof the sliding concave portion 11 f is formed at the bottom face side ofthe bridge portion 21 b. Further, shaft portions 21 e, respectivelycorresponding to the shaft members 14, are extending from two of thepressing operation portions 21 a, and a pressing convex portion 21 g,corresponding to the pressing convex portion 14 a is formed at a tip endof the shaft portion 21 e. In addition, a flange portion 2 if that has asimilar function as that of the O-ring 15 is formed around theperipheral face of the shaft portion 21 e.

According to the aforementioned configuration, the number of parts canbe decreased and the manufacturing cost thereof can be therebydecreased.

A second variation relating to an operating switch having aconfiguration similar to the zoom lever 8 will be explained referring toFIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a plan view partially including a see-through viewillustrating the second variation of the operating switch.

In the second variation, a cross-shaped switch 22 is formed byorthogonally disposing two operating switches having a structure similarto the zoom lever 8, in a manner so as to overlap the mutual fulcrums.

That is, the cross-shaped switch 22 is configured by combining anoperating lever 23 formed by connecting two pressing operation portions23 a by a bridge portion 23 b, and an operating lever 24 formed byconnecting two pressing operation portions 24 a by a bridge portion 24b, in a cross shape.

In addition, although two operating levers are combined to configure thecross-shaped switch 22 in the second variation, four pressing operationportions may be integrally connected by a cross-shaped bridge portion,without being limited by the above-described configuration.

Further, the number of pressing operation portions is not limited tofour. For example, three pressing operation portions may be integrallyconnected by a bridge portion having three branches. In this case, thecross-sectional area of the shaft hole, the distance between thepressing operation portion and the fulcrum, or the like are designedsuch that water pressure applied to one of the pressing operationportions is balanced out on the basis of the water pressure applied tothe other two pressing operation portions.

According to the aforementioned configuration, not only two operatingswitches but also more than two operating switches can be prevented frombeing improperly pressed by the water pressure.

Further, a third variation of the operating switch, such as theaforementioned zoom lever 8, or the like will be explained referring toFIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the third variationof the operating switch and FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustratingthe third variation of the operating switch.

In the third variation, the bridge portion is formed into an angledshape.

That is, the lever member 25 is formed by integrally connecting twopressing operation portions 25 a through a bridge portion 25 b, which isangled into an L-shape. At the angled portion of the bridge portion 25b, a rotating shaft portion 25 c is provided and the lever member 25 isconfigured to be rotatable around a rotating axis passing through therotating shaft portion 25 c indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 13.Further, the fulcrum of the lever member 25 is not located in the levermember 25 but is located at a crossing, at which a straight lineconnecting two pressing operation portions 25 a and an extended straightline of the rotating axis passing through the rotating shaft portion 25c intersect.

In addition, an angle α formed by a straight line connecting a center ofthe rotating shaft portion 25 c with one of the pressing operationportions 25 a and that connecting the center of the rotating shaftportion 25 c with the other pressing operation portion 25 a has a degreewithin 0°<α≦180° and more practically, 90°≦α≦180°.

Further, in the aforementioned third variation, although the bridgeportion is formed into an angled shape, the shape of the bridge portionis not limited thereto. For example, a curved shape, such as a U-shape,an S-shape, or the like is also applicable.

According to the aforementioned third variation, because two pressingoperation portions 25 a can be connected by a bridge portion formed intoa line other than a straight line, flexibility in design concerning adisposition of a member in the camera 1 is advanced.

Next, a configuration of the power source button 6 will be explainedreferring to FIGS. 1, 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a cross-section illustratinga configuration of a power source button 6 in a non-pressed state andFIG. 15 is a cross-section illustrating a configuration of a powersource button 6 in a pressed state.

The power source button 6 comprises a power button 31 that serves as apressing operation member, an O-ring 32, a power seesaw 33 that servesas a lever member and a transmitting member, a power shaft 34 thatserves as a rotation supporting portion, a power rubber curtain 35 athat serves as water pressure detecting means, a water pressuredetecting member, a force of water pressure generating member and acurtain member 35, a spacer 36, a side lid 37, and a power switch 38.

The power button 31 is a shaft member having an approximatelycylindrical shape, whose upper face side is capable of being pressed bya finger or the like. The power button 31 has a pressing convex portion31 a at a tip end side thereof and an O-ring groove 31 c is formedaround a peripheral face 31 b. In addition, a flange 31 d for preventingthe power button 31 from falling off the front cover 2 a by hooking thesame with a button hole 37 a of the side lid 37 is formed at an upperportion side of the peripheral face 31 b.

The O-ring 32 is attached to the O-ring groove 31 c.

A shaft hole 41 having a round shape is formed in the front cover 2 aand the peripheral face 31 b of the power button 31 is fit into theshaft hole 41. Thereby, the aforementioned O-ring 32 keeps an inside ofthe camera 1 in a watertight manner.

The aforementioned power seesaw 33 is a lever member configured to berotatable around the power shaft 34 by a sliding concave portion 33 ainside of the front cover 2 a and having a fork portion 33 b formed atone end thereof. The fork portion 33 b is hooked with the tip end sideof the power button 31 in a manner so as to protrude from the pressingconvex portion 31 a and through a clearance in the middle of the forkportion 33 b, as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, an arm portion 33 c isformed at the other end side of the power seesaw 33 and the force of thewater pressure (force of the detected water pressure) applied to thepower rubber curtain 35 is received by the arm portion 33 c. Further, aspring hook 33 d is provided in the arm portion 33 c and one end S1 of aspring (biasing means) S (only partially shown) is hooked on the springhook 33 d. Thereby, the power seesaw 33 is biased in a clockwisedirection in FIG. 14 about shaft 34. A purpose of providing the springis to bias the power button 31 in a direction separating from the powerswitch 38 when the camera 1 is mainly used on land (or underwater inrelatively shallow water). Accordingly, the spring is not provided forthe purpose of resisting against the water pressure or the like and thespring does not generate such a strong biasing force.

The power rubber curtain 35 that contacts the arm portion 33 c of thepower seesaw 33 is provided for sealing, in a watertight manner, a hole42 for detecting the water pressure provided in the front cover 2 a andan O-ring portion 35 a is formed around the peripheral edge of the powerrubber curtain 35.

The spacer 36 is provided with an engaging groove 36 a such that theO-ring portion 35 a of the power rubber curtain 35 is sandwiched betweenit and a portion of the front cover 2 a in the vicinity of the engaginggroove 36 a, when the upper end side of the spacer 36 is pressed by theside lid 37. Further, a hole 36 b for circulating the air and the wateris formed in the spacer 36.

In the side lid 37, the button hole 37 a is formed and a plurality of(five in number in the example shown in FIG. 1) continuous holes 37 bfor communicating with the hole 36 b of the spacer 36 are also formed.

The side lid 37 is provided with holes 37 e and 37 f for respectivelyengaging with bosses 43 e and 43 f of the front cover 2 a at diagonalcorners thereof. In addition, round holes 37 c, 37 d are formed at sideedges facing each other in a longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, screw holes 43 c and 43 d are formed in the frontcover 2 a, and the side lid 37 is attached to the front cover 2 a byscrewing screws 39 a and 39 b into the screw holes 43 c and 43 d throughthe round holes 37 c and 37 d. As mentioned above, the side lid 37prevents the power button 31 from coming off and sandwiches the O-ringportion 35 a of the power rubber curtain 35 between it and the portionof the front cover 2 a in the vicinity of the engaging groove 36 a viathe spacer 36 so as to maintain the water-tightness of the hole 42 fordetecting the water pressure.

Further, the aforementioned power switch 38 is disposed adjacent to thepressing convex portion 31 a in a shaft direction of the power button31. The power switch 38 functions such that the power source of thecamera 1 is turned on when pressed in a state of being turned off,whereas the power source of the camera 1 is turned off when pressed in astate of being turned on.

Next, a pressure balance of the power button 6 when being underwaterwill be explained below.

As is clear from the configuration of the power button 6 describedabove, the power button 6 rotates around the power shaft 34 serving as afulcrum. In addition, when the arm portion 33 c is assumed as a point offorce applied from the power rubber curtain 35 by the water pressure(force caused by detecting the water pressure), the fork portion 33 bserves as a point of action.

At this moment, a distance between the fulcrum and the fork portion 33 b(point of action) is defined as Ra and a distance between the fulcrumand the arm portion 33 c (point of force) is defined as Rb. Further, aminimum cross-sectional area of the shaft hole 41 that is effectiveagainst the water pressure (first cross-sectional area at a boundarybetween water and air) is defined as Sa, and a minimum cross-sectionalarea of the hole 42 for detecting the water pressure that is effectiveagainst the water pressure (second cross-sectional area at a boundarybetween water and air) is defined as Sb. Then, the cross-sectional areasof the shaft hole 41 and the hole 42 for detecting the water pressure,and the distance between the fulcrum and the point of action and thedistance between the fulcrum and the point of force are configured tosatisfy the following mathematical formula 3.

[Mathematical Formula 3]

Sa×Ra≦Sb×Rb

Similar to the above, when the hydrostatic pressure at the water depth D(m) is defined as P (D), the following mathematical formula 4 isobtained by multiplying each side of the mathematical formula 3 by thehydrostatic pressure P (D).

[Mathematical Formula 4]

P(D)×Sa×Ra≦P(D)×Sb×Rb

A left side of the mathematical formula 4 indicates the moment of forcearound the fulcrum applied to the fork portion 33 b through the powerbutton 31 by the hydrostatic pressure and a right side of themathematical formula 4 indicates the moment of force around the fulcrumapplied to the arm portion 33 c through the power rubber curtain 35 bythe hydrostatic pressure. Accordingly, the mathematical formula 4 meansthat when the water pressure is applied, the power seesaw 33 isbalanced, or the moment of force causing torque in a clockwise directionin FIG. 14 is applied to the power seesaw 33. In other words, the forcecaused by the water pressure applied to the power button 31 is balancedunderwater, or force for separating the power button 31 from the powerswitch 38 is applied to the power button 31. Thus, the power button 31is prevented from being improperly pressed by the water pressureunderwater.

Further, when static frictional force that occurs when the power button31 moves is defined as Fa1, and biasing force caused by the spring (notshown) hooked on the spring hook 33 d for the power seesaw 33 to movethe power button 31 outside of the exterior member 2 is defined as Fa2,and when an internal force including Fa1 and Fa2 is considered, thefollowing mathematical formula is to be satisfied for the power supplybutton 6.

P(D)×Sa×Ra−(Fa1+Fa2)×Ra≦P(D)×Sb×Rb

That is, the power supply button 6 may be constituted such that themathematical formula is sufficient when the force of the detected waterpressure (when expressed by the moment of force, “P(D)×Sb×Rb”), appliedto the power button 31 by the power seesaw 33 is equal to or greaterthan the resultant force of an external pressure, in which the powerbutton 31 receives from the water pressure as external force, (whenexpressed by the moment of force, “P(D)×Sa×Ra”) and internal force, inwhich the power seesaw 33 receives from internal members (when expressedby the moment of force, “−((Fa1+Fa2)×Ra”), in a direction opposite tothe applying direction of the external pressure.

In addition, the power seesaw 33 is set such that the condition of Ra=Rbis approximately satisfied in the examples shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, andin contrast, the shaft hole 41 and the hole 42 for detecting the waterpressure are set such that each of the cross-sectional areas thereofsatisfies the condition of Sa≦Sb.

When such a power source button 6 is used on land, i.e., in the air, thepower source button 6 functions as follows.

When no external force is applied to the power button 31, the flange 31d of the power button 31 knocks against the side lid 37 adjacent to thebutton hole 37 a and contacts the same by the biasing force of theaforementioned spring (not shown). Thereby, the pressing convex portion31 a of the power button 31 stays at a position separated from the powerswitch 38 at a predetermined distance.

In this state, when the operator presses down the power button 31 withhis/her finger or the like against the biasing force of the spring andthe frictional force that occurs between the O-ring 32 and the shafthole 41, the power button 31 is displaced in a shaft direction. Further,the pressing convex portion 31 a presses the power switch 38 and thepower source of the camera 1 is turned on or turned off.

Thereafter, when the operator releases his/her finger from the powerbutton 31, the power seesaw 33 rotates in a clockwise direction in FIG.14, by the biasing force of the spring and the movement of the powerbutton 31, in the shaft direction is stopped when the flange 31 d knocksagainst the side lid 37. Thus, the power button 31 is automaticallyreturned by the biasing force of the spring when operated on land.

Next, the power source button 6 functions as follows when usedunderwater.

Because the configuration satisfying the mathematical formula 3 isadopted, the moment of force shown in the left side and the right sideof the mathematical formula 4 is applied to the power seesaw 33 in thewater depth D (m) underwater. That is, when no pressing force is appliedto the power button 31 by the operator, the biasing force of the springand the pressing force F in a shaft direction toward outside of thecamera 1, which is shown in the following mathematical formula 5 areapplied to the power button 31 from the power seesaw 33, and the flange31 d is kept contacting the side lid 37.

[Mathematical Formula 5]

F=P(D)×Sb×Rb/Ra−P(D)×Sa

In this state, when the operator presses down the power button 31 withhis/her finger or the like against the biasing force of the spring andthe pressing force F, the power button 31 is displaced in a shaftdirection. As a result, the pressing convex portion 31 a presses thepower switch 38 and the power source of the camera 1 is turned on/off.

Thereafter, when the operator releases his/her finger from the powerbutton 31, the power seesaw 33 rotates in the clockwise direction inFIG. 14 by the biasing force of the spring and the pressing force F, andthe movement of the power button 31 in the shaft direction is stoppedwhen the flange 31 d knocks against the side lid 37. Thus, the powerbutton 31 automatically returns underwater by the biasing force of thespring and the pressing force F.

Next, the configuration of the release button 5 will be explainedreferring to FIGS. 1, 2, 16 and 17. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectionillustrating a configuration of the release button 5 in a non-pressedstate, and FIG. 16 is a cross-section illustrating a configuration ofthe release button 5 in a pressed state.

The release button 5 comprises a release lever 51, a release cap 52,release shaft 53 serving as a shaft member and waterproof switch means,an O-ring 54, a release spring 55, and a release switch 56.

The release switch 56 is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board fora switch 57 and further, the flexible printed circuit board for theswitch 57 is attached to a fixing board 58 provided inside the camera 1.

The release lever 51 is a lever member capable of rotating around asupporting shaft 51 a serving as a fulcrum, and is an operating memberwhose point of force and the point of action is provided at the sameside of the supporting shaft 51 a, as described later. The release lever51 has a storage concave portion 51 b having an opening at the bottom inthe middle part thereof, and at an upper face of the storage concaveportion 51 b, a pressing convex portion 51 c that serves as a pressingportion being formed into an R-face of a cylindrical surface shape isprovided. The pressing convex portion 51 c is provided for pressing anupper face of the release shaft 53 serving as a point of action, and thepressing force of the release lever 51 can be stably transmitted to therelease shaft 53 to move the same in a shaft direction by forming thepressing convex portion 51 c into the R-face, even when the releaselever 51 rotates in a slanting manner. Further, from a side face of thestorage concave portion 51 b, a hooking projection 51 d to be hookedwith a lower end face of the flange 53 d that is formed at an upper endof the release shaft 53 is provided. Furthermore, at a tip end side ofthe release lever 51, viewed from the supporting shaft 51 a of therelease lever 51, a spring storage chamber 51 e is provided.

The release cap 52 is an operating member that covers an upper face sideof the release lever 51, and a surface of the release cap 52 is a faceof an operating portion that is pressed by the operator with his/herfinger or the like.

The release shaft 53 is a shaft member having an approximatelycylindrical shape and, is provided with a flange 53 d at an upper partthereof, as described above, and a pressing convex portion 53 a at alower end thereof. In addition, an O-ring groove 53 c is formed around aperipheral face 53 b of the release shaft 53.

An O-ring 54 is attached in the O-ring groove 53 c of the release shaft53.

A concave portion 64 for disposing the release button 5 is formed on thetop face of the front cover 2 a, and in the middle of the concaveportion 64, a bearing hole 61 having a round shape formed in the concaveportion 64 is provided in a manner so as to be perpendicular to theupper face of the front cover 2 a. The bearing hole 61 having acylindrical shape is provided in a manner standing up from the bottomface of the concave portion 64, and an escaping concave portion 61 a isformed in a manner so as to cut a part of the cylindrical portion. Theescaping concave portion 61 a serves as a concave portion where thehooking projection 51 d enters when the flange 53 d of the release shaft53 contacts an upper end face of the cylindrical portion.

The release shaft 53, to which the O-ring 54 is attached is fit into thebearing hole 61 in a manner so as to be slidable in a shaft direction.In this condition, the internal part of the camera 1 is maintained to bewatertight against the outside of the camera 1 by a function of theO-ring 54. Further, grease or the like is coated around a peripheralface of the release shaft 53 so that the frictional force caused whenthe release shaft 53 slides in the shaft direction is decreased.However, the release shaft 53 is configured such that power is requiredto some extent for moving the release shaft 53 in a shaft direction tocreate operational feeling for the operator when the release operationis performed.

Further, the release switch 56 is disposed to intersect a moving path ofthe release shaft 53 in a shaft direction. Furthermore, the releaseswitch 56 mounted on a flexible printed circuit board 57 for a switch isconfigured approximately similar to the click switch 16, shown in FIG.7.

A spring holder 62 protrudes into the concave portion 64 of the frontcover 2 a and a release spring 55 is disposed in manner so as to besandwiched between the spring holder 62 and the release lever 51 and therelease cap 52, and is in a state of being compressed. The releasespring 55 is configured to bias the release lever 51 and the release cap52 to rotate around the supporting shaft 51 a in a clockwise directionin FIG. 16.

The rotation of the release lever 51 and the release cap 52 around thesupporting shaft 51 a in the clockwise direction from the position shownin FIG. 16 is stopped by being engaged with the button opening 59 a ofan upper lid 59.

The upper lid 59 is provided with the button opening 59 a for exposingthe part of the release cap 52 to be operated by the operator bypressing the same with his/her finger or the like. Further, the upperlid 59 is provided with openings 59 d and 59 e for respectively engagingwith the bosses 63 d and 63 e of the front cover 2 a (refer to FIG. 2),at corners thereof diagonally facing each other. Further, round openings59 b and 59 c are formed at side edges facing in a longitudinaldirection.

On the other hand, screw holes 63 b and 63 c are formed in the frontcover 2 a, and the upper lid 59 is attached to the front cover 2 a byscrewing the screws 60 a and 60 b into the screw holes 63 b and 63 cthrough the round holes 59 b and 59 c. At this moment, the upper lid 59serves as a positioning member, as described above, and prevents therelease lever 51 and the release cap 52 from dropping out of the camera.

A dynamic configuration of the thus described release button 5 is asfollows.

When the release button is pressingly operated, the position on theupper face of the release cap 52, which is pressed by the operator, isdefined as the point of force. In addition, the fulcrum is thesupporting shaft 51 a, as described above. Further, the contactingposition of the pressing convex portion 51 c and the release shaft 53 isdefined as the point of action.

Next, at a time when the release button 5 is returned to an initialposition when the operator releases his/her finger or the like from therelease button 5, the position, at which the release lever 51 and therelease cap 52 receives the returning force of the release spring 55, isdefined as the point of force. Further, similar to the above, thefulcrum is the supporting shaft 51 a. Furthermore, the contactingposition of the hooking projection 51 d of the release lever 51 and theflange 53 d of the release shaft 53 is defined as the point of action.

In addition, in any case, as illustrated, the distance between thefulcrum and the point of force is configured to be longer than thedistance between the fulcrum and the point of action.

Thus, in a disposition of each of the point of force and the point ofaction, the release spring 55 is provided with biasing force capable ofreturning the release shaft 53, the release lever 51, and the releasecap 52 to the initial position shown in FIG. 17 against the waterpressure applied to the release shaft 53 under the water that isshallower than the predetermined water depth.

That is, a distance from the fulcrum to the point of action is definedas Rx, and the distance from the fulcrum to the point of force serves asRy when the release button 5 returns to the initial position. Further, aminimum cross-sectional area of the bearing hole 61 that is effectiveagainst the water pressure is defined as Sx. Furthermore, a maximumfrictional force that occurs between the release shaft 53, on which theO-ring 54 is fit, and the bearing hole 61 (usually, the staticfrictional force) is defined as Fx, and the biasing force generated bythe release spring 55 is defined as Fy. At this moment, the mechanism ofthe release button 5 is configured such that the following mathematicalformula 6 is satisfied in the water depth D (m) where the hydrostaticpressure is defined as P (D).

[Mathematical Formula 6]

Fy×Ry≧(P(D)×Sx+Fx)×Rx

From the mathematical formula 6, for example, biasing force Fy requiredto the release spring 55 is found as shown in the following mathematicalformula 7.

[Mathematical Formula 7]

Fy≧(P(D)×Sx+Fx)×Rx/Ry

As described above, because the relationship between the distance fromthe fulcrum to the point of action (Rx) and the distance from thefulcrum and the point of force (Ry) is configured to be as Rx<Ry, therequired force Fy is found to be small compared to the case when theabove-mentioned relationship is configured to be Rx=Ry. Thus, becausethe distance Ry from the fulcrum to the point of force is configured tobe greater than the distance Rx from the fulcrum to the point of action,the force of the release spring 55 can be relatively small, namely, therelease spring 55 can be small-sized.

Next, an operation of the thus configured release button 5 will beexplained.

The operation of the release button 5 when operated on land is basicallythe same as that when operated underwater.

The state of the release button 5 before being operated is asillustrated in FIG. 17. Further, at this moment, the release cap 52protrudes toward upside relative to the upper face of the upper lid 59so as to be easily operated. When the operator presses a pressingoperation face of the release cap 52 in this state to photograph, therelease cap 52 and the release lever 51 integrally rotatecounter-clockwise around the supporting shaft 51 a, resulting inapplying pressing force against the biasing force of the release spring55 and the frictional force generated between the release shaft 53, intowhich the O-ring 54 is fit, and the bearing hole 61.

Thereby, the pressing convex portion 53 a of a tip end of the releaseshaft 53 contacts the release switch 56, and photographing operation isperformed, as shown in FIG. 16.

Further, when the operator stops applying the pressing force to thepressing operation face of the release cap 52, the release lever 51 andthe release cap 52 rotate around the supporting shaft 51 a in aclockwise direction in FIG. 17 by the biasing force of the releasespring 55. The biasing force of the release spring 55 at this moment isconfigured to oppose the water pressure and the frictional force appliedto the release shaft 53, since the biasing force satisfies the conditionshown in the mathematical formula 7. Thus, when the release lever 51 andthe release cap 52 knock and contact the upper lid 59, the returningoperation to the position shown in FIG. 17 is completed.

According to the embodiment mentioned above, because the water pressureapplied to one operation switch in the zoom lever 8 or the like, whichis provided with a plurality of operating switches, is balanced with thewater pressure applied to the other operating switch, there is nopossibility that the operating switch is improperly pressed by the waterpressure even under the water and the pressing force required for theoperation does not depend on the water depth. At this moment, becausethe balancing operation for the water pressure is performed by using theseesaw-shaped lever member, a balancing mechanism for balancing thewater pressure can be formed with smaller space. In addition, becausethe lever member has a rotational balance in consideration of thefrictional force that is applied to the O-ring 15 or the like, theembodiment described above can be further widely applied.

Further, because the lever member 11 and the shaft member 14 areseparately formed, the shaft member 14 can be movable in a directionperpendicular to a shaft direction, and high waterproof property isthereby securely obtained and the operability can be improved.

Furthermore, because the lever member 11 and the plurality of shaftmembers 14 are integrally formed of material having elasticity, thenumber of parts can be decreased and the manufacturing cost can bereduced.

In addition, because the lever member 11 is formed into the angled shapeor the curved shape, the flexibility of designs can be improved.

Further, in the power source button 6 or the like, because the waterpressure applied to the operating switch is basically balanced with thewater pressure applied to the water pressure detecting member byproviding the water pressure detecting member (water pressure detectingmeans), other than the operating switch, there is no possibility thatthe operating switch is improperly pressed by the water pressure evenwhen the operating switch is operated under the water. Similar to theabove, because balancing operation is performed by using theseesaw-shaped lever member, space can be saved. In addition, because thewater pressure applied to the water pressure detecting member isconfigured to be greater than that applied to the operating switch, thepower source button 6 is more securely prevented from being improperlypressed by the water pressure. At this moment, because the biasing forceof the spring and the frictional force are considered, the embodimentcan be more widely applied.

Furthermore, because a shaft member, such as the release shaft 53 isdisplaced in the shaft direction in the release button 5 or the like byusing a lever member such as the release lever 51, even when thefrictional force occurs between the O-ring attached to the shaft memberand the bearing hole, the pressing force can be decreased and therelease button 5 or the like can be operated with an appropriate force.In addition, because the release spring or the like for returning therelease button 5 to a non-operating position is disposed to a positionfarther than the distance between the fulcrum and the shaft member, theforce required to the release spring can be decreased and the releasespring can be small. At this moment, a spring for general use can beused as a release spring by adjusting a length or the like of the levermember, and the manufacturing cost can be decreased.

Thus, a switch mechanism usable underwater capable of saving the spacethat does not depend on the water pressure can be provided. Further, theforce for operating the pressing operation member can be adjusted.Furthermore, the force for operating the pressing operation memberunderwater can be set to be the same as that on land as the occasiondemands.

Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention referring tothe accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to those precise embodiments and variouschanges and modifications thereof could be made by one skilled in theart without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

1. A switch mechanism usable underwater comprising: an exterior member;watertight switch means provided along the exterior member to maintainwater-tightness with respect to water pressures not greater than apredetermined water pressure; an operation member which includes anoperation portion and a pressing portion for pressing the watertightswitch means, a rotational axis portion arranged near one end of theoperation member, the pressing portion being positioned between theoperation portion and the rotational axis portion; and biasing meanswhich causes the operation member to rotate around the rotational axisportion by generating a biasing force that is greater than an amount offorce generated at the watertight switch means when said predeterminedwater pressure is applied to the watertight switch means, the biasingforce being applied in a direction to move the operation portion of theoperation member away from the exterior member; and a positioning memberwhich limits movement of the operation member around the rotational axisportion with respect to the exterior member against the biasing force ofthe biasing means.
 2. The switch mechanism according to claim 1, whereinthe exterior member includes a concave portion, the watertight switchmeans is disposed in the concave portion of the exterior member, thepositioning member is configured to cover at least a part of the concaveportion, and when the operation member is released, the operationportion of the operation member at least partially protrudes from thepositioning member.
 3. The switch mechanism according to claim 1,wherein the operation member engages an edge of the positioning memberto limit movement of the operation member.
 4. The switch mechanismaccording to claim 1, further comprising a shaft forming a slidingwatertight seal with an opening in the exterior member and having oneend engaged at a first point of action with said pressing portion and anopposite end operating a release switch when the operation member ispressed.
 5. The switch mechanism according to claim 4, wherein adistance between the axis portion and the first point of action is lessthan a distance between a point of force at which the biasing meansengages the operation member and the axis portion.
 6. The switchmechanism according to claim 5, wherein the operation member is providedwith a projection for engaging a flange on said shaft at a second pointof action to disengage the shaft from the release switch when under theinfluence of the biasing means, and a distance between the axis portionand the second point of action is less than a distance between saidpoint of force and the axis portion.
 7. The switch mechanism accordingto claim 5, wherein the biasing force applied at the point of force isat least equal to a frictional force between the shaft and the hole anda water pressure acting on an effective cross-sectional area at saidfirst point of action to prevent said shaft from engaging the releaseswitch when the water pressure applied to the external member is notgreater than said predetermined water pressure.
 8. A switch mechanismusable underwater comprising: an exterior member; a watertight switcharranged along the exterior member to maintain water-tightness withrespect to water pressures not greater than a predetermined waterpressure; an operation member which includes an operation portion and apressing portion for pressing the watertight switch, a rotational axisportion arranged near one end of the operation member, the pressingportion being positioned between the operation portion and therotational axis portion; and a biasing member which causes the operationmember to rotate around the rotational axis portion by generating abiasing force that is greater than an amount of force generated at thewatertight switch when said predetermined water pressure is applied tothe watertight switch, the biasing force being applied in a direction tomove the operation portion of the operation member away from theexterior member; and a positioning member which limits movement of theoperation member around the rotational axis portion with respect theexterior member against the biasing force of the biasing member.
 9. Theswitch mechanism usable underwater according to claim 8, wherein theexterior member includes a concave portion, the watertight switch isdisposed in the concave portion of the exterior member, the positioningmember configured to cover at least a part of the concave portion, andwhen the operation member is released, the operation portion of theoperation member at least partially protrudes from the positioningmember.
 10. The switch mechanism according to claim 8, wherein theoperation member engages an edge of the positioning member to limitmovement of the operation member.
 11. The switch mechanism according toclaim 8, further comprising a shaft forming a sliding watertight sealwith an opening in the exterior member and having one end engaged at afirst point of action with said pressing portion and an opposite endoperating a release switch when the operation member is pressed.
 12. Theswitch mechanism according to claim 11, wherein a distance between theaxis portion and the first point of action is less than a distancebetween a point of force at which the biasing member engages theoperation member and the axis portion.
 13. The switch mechanismaccording to claim 12, wherein the operation member is provided with aprojection for engaging a flange on said shaft at a second point ofaction to disengage the shaft from the release switch when under theinfluence of the biasing member, and a distance between the axis portionand the second point of action is less than a distance between saidpoint of force and the axis portion.
 14. The switch mechanism accordingto claim 12, wherein the biasing force applied at the point of force isat least equal to a frictional force between the shaft and the hole anda water pressure acting on an effective cross-sectional area at saidfirst point of action to prevent said shaft from engaging the releaseswitch when the water pressure applied to the external member is notgreater than said predetermined water pressure.